Elton John songs to inspire new TV series

The timeless tunes of Elton John and Bernie Taupin have inspired a drama series at Fox, which is developing a music-driven project revolving around the lives of two families. The network has committed to a pilot for the series Rhapsody from writer-producer Shaun Cassidy (The Agency) and Warner Bros. TV. Details were sketchy late Wednesday, but sources said the themes were influenced by John-Taupin songs. Warner Bros.' corporate sibling Warner/Chappell Music administers many of the compositions in the John-Taupin publishing catalog through a blockbuster deal struck in 1992. Rhapsody is the second high-profile musical drama in development at Fox for fall 2004. The network also is working on The Rise, a project from out Chicago executive producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron and writer Lizzie Weiss. Rhapsody was developed as part of Cassidy's overall deal with WBTV. He also serves as an executive producer on the studio's new WB Network drama Tarzan.